POST-TRANSITION METALS AND NON-METALS

The post transition metals include the metals in Groups IIIA, IVA and VA. They include aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, lead, tin and bismuth. Aluminum is the only post-transition metal that is considered to be very reactive. The non-metals in the periodic table is located in groups IVA, VA,VIA and VIIA. They include the halogen family, sulfur, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen. Fluorine is used to manufacture fluorocarbons. Chlorine is present in household bleaches. Iodine is used mainly as an antiseptic agent. Sulfur is used for yellow coloring and it was burned in some religious ceremonies because of the unusual odor it produces. Nitrogen is an odorless and tasteless gas. The atmosphere make up about 78% nitrogen. Phosphorus is used as fertelizers and Silicon is used in the production of steel alloys.